Quantaloidal Completions of Order-enriched Categories and Their Applications

By introducing the concept of quantaloidal completions for an order-enriched category, relationships between the category of quantaloids and the category of order-enriched categories are studied. It is proved that quantaloidal completions for an order-enriched category can be fully characterized as compatible quotients of the power-set completion. As applications, we show that a special type of injective hull of an order-enriched category is the MacNeille completion; the free quantaloid over an order-enriched category is the Down-set completion

Towards greater selectivity and peak capacities in multidimensional separations of complex samples

In this thesis, the focus was on understanding recent developments in liquid chromatography (LC) and how these can be applied to improve two-dimensional separations (Chapter 2). The main advances that were of interest for the design of a 3D separation device were those in column technology, instrument capabilities and miniaturized separation devices. We proceeded with an investigation into the miniaturization of comprehensive two-dimensional LC (LC×LC) for the analysis of peptides by direct coupling with a high-resolution mass spectrometer (HR-MS) (Chapter 4). In choosing the best combination of retention mechanisms for the LC×LC system, we have investigated computational programs for the prediction of retention and the optimization of peptide separations in hydrophilic-interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) (Chapter 3). Finally, we investigated the introduction of particles in a 3D-printed device as a model for a future 3D-spatial-separation device (Chapter 5). To reach the ultimate goal of a 3D-spatial-separation device with the capability of achieving a peak capacity of one million, further research is still required. The future outlook following the research in this thesis is described in Chapter 6

A Decision Tool for Supplier Selection That Takes into Account Power and Performance

Companies select their suppliers to provide required performance while being successful partners. An important aspect of collaboration is the power relationship between the company and its suppliers. Although the significance of power in supplier selection is acknowledged, published work rarely includes assessment of power. An empirical study on selecting suppliers for new product developments in a major European diesel engine manufacturing company, supported by three smaller studies with electronic engineering companies, frames overall questions regarding the importance of incorporating power into supplier selection and how this might be achieved. This research proposes an approach that assesses both performance and power and integrates the assessment results by modelling the relative effects of power and performance. It positions the suppliers into six scenarios (ideal, satisfying, tolerable, unfavourable, risky and tough) which depict to what extent a supplier is ‘suitable’ to work with. A reverse analysis reviews the relationship when several suppliers appear suitable. An assessment method is developed incorporating both subjective and objective data for qualitative and quantitative criteria. It combines two decision making methods, AHP and TOPSIS, with triangular fuzzy numbers. Multiple judgements from several decision makers are synthesised. This method is adapted for performance assessment of single, group and cross-group suppliers. Weights are calculated for the criteria, and combined with calculations of supplier performance against each criterion to provide an overall assessment and supplier profile. Power is quantified against a set of power determinants and power relations (supplier dominance, buyer dominance and balanced) are determined. The effects of supplier perceptions (objective, optimistic and pessimistic) are estimated in the calculation. The proposed approach involves complex calculations and a prototype software tool is developed with graphical interfaces. The tool includes performance criteria and power determinants collected from literature and allows users to define new ones. Application to an agriculture case enables the sustainable performance of suppliers (farmers) to be evaluated and compared

An Empirical Analysis to Control Product Counterfeiting in the Automotive Industry\u27s Supply Chains in Pakistan

The counterfeits pose significant health and safety threat to consumers. The quality image of firms is vulnerable to the damage caused by the expanding flow of counterfeit products in today’s global supply chains. The counterfeiting markets are swelling due to globalization and customers’ willingness to buy counterfeits, fueling illicit activities to explode further. Buyers look for the original parts are deceived by the false (deceptive) signals’ communication. The counterfeiting market has become a multi-billion industry but lacks detailed insights into the supply side of counterfeiting (deceptive side). The study aims to investigate and assess the relationship between the anti-counterfeiting strategies and improvement in the firm’s supply performance within the internal and external supply chain quality management context in the auto-parts industry’s supply chains in Pakistan